 |
 |
|
| Altura - Mercy |
 Released: 1996 Label: Magna Carta (Roadrunner in Europe?) Cat. No. MA-9014-2 (RR 8864.2 Europe) Total Time: 48:11 | |
Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, April 1997 Call Altura's 1996 release Mercy alternative, market it that way, and maybe radio will play a cut or two. Instead of pointing out they sound a lot like Dream Theater (who've already been pegged as Neo-Metal Progressive) compare them to the latest alt-rock deities. This, Altura's debut, was produced by Robert Berry who also produced Tempest - Turn Of The Wheel and has contributed tracks to Magna Carta's tribute albums. While "One Dimension" doesn't lead off the album, it very well should have. This is the strongest track on the album, with a strange rotating helicopter blade beat as an undercurrent. It's seconded only by the track that follows it, "Alternate Lines". The second track on this disc, "The Calling," has a nice keyboard intro (reminiscent of Icehouse's "Sister"),segueing to a crescendo of drums and typical jackhammer guitar rhythms - not only Dream Theater-ish, but Metallica-sque and Iron Maiden-ish as well. The outro of this track sounds Marillion-ish. "The Continuum," entirely instrumental, eases in with an intro nearly lifted wholesale from Marillion's Misplaced Childhood, 'round about the intro to "Bitter Suite" (keys/drums). All in all, not a bad debut despite the Dream Theater influence throughout (including Rain Irving's vocals). I'd like to hear more from this band, preferably on the radio, but I won't hold my breath. There is room for growth as this band truly breaks away from the Dream Theater mold and into their own. [See also Bobo's review -ed] More about Mercy: Track Listing: Mercy (6:01) / The Calling (5:37) / One By One (5:24) / The Continuum (2:47) / Horizons Fade (5:25) / One Dimension (7:24) / Alternate Lines (6:03) / Alone (10:50) Musicians: | |
[Review Index] [Home] [Top]  © Copyright 1999, 2000 Progressive World |